CONTRIBUTORS
Benard Ondiek
Virtual Academy Coordinator
Margaret Kanyi Munyua
Training Program Admin Officer
In today’s fast-paced world, staying ahead means constantly learning, evolving, and acquiring new skills. Whether you’re a researcher, a policymaker, or a practitioner, professional development is essential for staying relevant and competitive. We deeply understand this at the African Population Health and Research Center (APHRC). We’re excited to share the story behind our innovative ‘Virtual Learning Academy (VLA)’—a platform designed to elevate our team’s expertise and drive excellence across Africa.
What is the Virtual Learning Academy (VLA)?
Think of the VLA as your go-to hub for learning, where research professionals, health experts, and educators can grow their skills and knowledge at their own pace. This online platform offers various courses that tackle some of the most pressing issues in health, research, data analysis, and policy formulation. And the best part? It’s all accessible from anywhere—whether in bustling Nairobi or a remote corner of Africa. The VLA isn’t just about traditional learning; it’s about empowering the research ecosystem with modern, interactive tools that make education flexible, engaging, and impactful.
The Birth of the VLA
So, how did the VLA come to be? When APHRC started expanding its research and advocacy efforts across Africa, it quickly became apparent that more than traditional, in-person training was needed. COVID-19, geographic barriers, time constraints, and the fast pace of global advancements meant we needed a learning solution to keep up.
Enter the VLA. Launched in 2020, the academy was created to break down barriers to professional development. Whether mastering new research methods, diving into the latest data analysis techniques, or understanding global health trends, the VLA offers a solution that fits seamlessly into the busy schedules of our staff—no matter where they are.
Why the VLA Matters
At APHRC, we are committed to improving the use of evidence in policy decisions across Africa. But to do that, we need the right platforms and people. This is where the VLA comes in, addressing four key areas:
- Accessible Learning for All: APHRC’s target participants span multiple countries, and travel or in-person training can be costly and time-consuming. The VLA removes these barriers, ensuring every participant can access the same high-quality learning resources.
- Continuous Professional Development: In research, things are constantly changing. New methodologies, tools, and best practices emerge continually. The VLA ensures the research ecosystem stays updated with the latest trends and innovations.
- Employee Satisfaction and Retention: We know that offering learning and growth opportunities is one of the best ways to keep top talent. By investing in our staff’s development, we help them reach their full potential, boosting job satisfaction and retention.
- Fostering Innovation and Collaboration: The VLA isn’t just about individual growth. It’s also about collaboration. The platform offers group courses and virtual discussion forums, encouraging staff to share knowledge, discuss emerging trends, and work together on solving complex challenges.
How the VLA Works
The VLA blends different learning methods to create an integrated and flexible experience. Here’s how it works:
- Synchronous Learning: Live, real-time sessions for immediate interaction.
- Asynchronous Learning: Self-paced modules that let you learn when it’s convenient for you.
- HyFlex Learning: A combination of online and in-person learning options.
- Communities of Practice (CoPs): Virtual spaces for employees to engage, learn from each other, and tackle challenges together.
The platform is powered by Moodle, a widely used Learning Management System (LMS), ensuring a seamless and user-friendly experience. Staff can track their progress, set learning goals, and even earn certificates upon completion of courses.
The VLA’s Achievements So Far
Since its launch, the VLA has already made an enormous impact. Here are a few highlights:
- Infrastructure Upgrades: We’ve migrated and upgraded the platform’s infrastructure to ensure better performance, security, and scalability. This makes the platform faster, more reliable, and easier to use.
- Communities of Practice: We’ve formed 15 CoPs, which provide a space for staff from different teams and locations to collaborate and learn from one another.
- Over 10 Courses Developed: Based on the needs of the research ecosystem, we’ve developed courses in public health, research methods, data analysis, leadership, and more. These courses are practical and immediately applicable to our daily work.
- 200+ Enrolled, 150+ Completed Courses: The VLA has seen impressive participation, with over 500 participants enrolled across Sub-Saharan Africa. More participants have completed courses so far, reflecting the team’s commitment to growth.
How Can You Benefit?
Accessing the VLA is simple for our staff. Internal staff can access the platform using the same credentials across the other systems, while external participants can receive credentials from the VLA system. They can browse available courses, register for sessions, and dive into their learning journey. Whether improving research skills or gaining insights into global health trends, the VLA offers various learning options to suit every interest and professional goal.
Here’s how participants can make the most of the VLA:
- Explore new courses like research methods, data analysis, leadership, and policy to deepen your expertise.
- Track progress and set personal learning goals within the platform.
- Join discussions and virtual workshops to collaborate with colleagues and exchange ideas.
What’s Next for the VLA?
The future of the VLA is bright! We’re already planning some exciting developments:
- Expanding our Course Offerings: To keep pace with global trends, we plan to add new courses on emerging health, technology, and policy topics.
- International Partnerships: We’re exploring partnerships with global institutions to offer certification and accreditation opportunities, further boosting the value of the VLA.
- Personalized Learning Paths: In the future, we’ll incorporate advanced features like AI-based learning pathways, tailoring the learning experience to individual staff needs and career goals.
As the VLA grows, so will the opportunities for APHRC, the research ecosystem, to develop new skills, innovate, and contribute even more significantly to our mission of improving health and development across Africa.
The Bottom Line: Embrace the Opportunity
At APHRC, we believe in fostering a culture of learning, innovation, and collaboration. The Virtual Learning Academy is one of the critical pillars in making that vision a reality. It empowers our team with the resources and opportunities they need to grow professionally and contribute to our mission of advancing health, education, and development across the continent.
So, if you’re part of the research ecosystem, now’s the time to dive into the VLA. Take advantage of the opportunity, invest in your professional development, and help us continue making a lasting impact across Africa!